Computing counter



July 2, 1940. c. A. ROSSBERG COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 1'7, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet l //v1//v 70/? Mar/e14. Rumba/y.

J y 2, 1940- c. A. ROSSBERG 2,206,239

COMPUTING COUNTER I Filed June 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hllll IIIIIH a a a n a a y 1940- c. A. ROSSBERG 2, 06,239

COMPUT ING COUNTER Filed June 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 as 47T0RA/EX 1940- c. A. ROS SBERG 2,206,239

COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 17, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 2, 9 c. A. ROSSBERG 2,206,239

COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented July 2, 1 946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMPUTING COUNTER tion of Connecticut Application June 17, 1937, Serial No. 148,717

18 Claims.

My invention relates to computing counters. It has among its objects to provide an improved computing counter adapted to indicate quantity.

and cost, and especially adapted to use in dis? pensing gasoline. A further object of my invention is to provide such a counter having improved resetting mechanism eliminating the need for the shutters heretofore required. Still another object is to provide improved resetting mechanism adapted to reset the wheels of the various counters reversely in such manner as, while eliminating the need for shutters, also to eliminate the need for braking mechanism to control the counter drives, my improved construction bein such as to eliminate the effects of backlash in the driving trains which made such braking mechanism necessary. Still another object of my invention is to provide improved resetting mechanism for the several counters, and improved cooperating operating mechanism for these resetting mechanisms whereby the above results are obtained. Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction which is of a type adapted to be assembled in various widths and to have its operative parts similarly arl justed in such manner as to enable counters er different widths to be readily produced by different assemblies of a standard structure. Other objects include the provision of improved counter units removable as such from the counter, together with certain of the driving shafting therefor, in such manner as to facilitate servicing, and the provision of improved driving connections including telescopic driving connections making such removal, as well as various adjustments to produce counters of different width, readily possible while using a standard structure. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a counter of my improved construction;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1 as viewed from the left;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view approximately on line 55 of Figure 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the reset operating train directly associated with the reset operating shaft, the section being taken on line 6--6 of Figure 5;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the train shown in Figure 6, certain portions being broken away 5 to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 8 is a simplified diagrammatic view of the drives of the several counters operative during counting, the direction of rotation of the counter wheels during counting also being indi- 10 cated, but the resetting drive being omitted;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of the drives shown in Figure 8;'

Fig. 10 is a section on line Ill-l0 of Figure 8;

Fig. 11 is a simplified diagram corresponding to Figure 8, but showing the resetting drive, the counting drive being omitted;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 11;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of Figure 11 20 with added driving gearing at the right;

Fig. 14 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one of the counter units, herein the left hand cost counter unit, the parts being shown in their counting position;

Fig. 15 is a section on line l5l5 of Figure 14; Fig. 16 is a section on line l6--I6 of Figure 14; Fig. 17 is a sectiorf on line l'I-l'l of Figure 14; Fig. 18 is a section on line I8l8 of Figure 14; Fig. 19 is a section on line |9l9 of Figure 14; Fig. 20 is a section on lines 20-40 of both Figures 17 and 18, the resetting shaft being pulled out into its resetting position;

Fig. 21 isa detail sectional view of the first and second denominational order wheels with their driving cams and pawls in resetting position;

Fig. 22 is a detail of the no-reverse mechanism at the back end of the reset shaft;

Fig. 23 is a detail perspective view of one of the unit end members and its connections, and

Fig. 24 is a detail perspective view of one of the bell crank supporting brackets.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown a counter of the type comprising a pair of cost counters, generally indicated at I and la, disposed at the top, and a pair of quantity'counters indicated at 2, 2a disposed at the bottom, the cost counters being adapted to be actuated by a variator (not shown) driven by a meter shaft, while the quantity counters are driven directly from the meter shaft; the several counters being of an improved construction and having improved driving and controlling mechanism associated therewith, all as hereinafter more fully described.

First referring to the drive for the cost counters I, la, it will be noted that the shaft 3, which is driven from the variator, extends vertically up between the series of counters and is journalled at 4 in a strut connection 5 transversely connecting at the top two vertical counter carrying frame members 6 and I which are also transversely connected at their tops by spacer-bolts 6a and at their bottoms by others Ia. Herein, the shaft 3 carries a bevel pinion 8 meshing with a cooperating bevel gear 9 on an upper transverse shaft ID. This shaft is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings II in the frame members 6 and I; the shaft 3 also preferably being disposed at one side of this shaft II], as illustrated. Herein, the shaft I0 is also provided adjacent its opposite ends, with separate drives for driving the different cost counter units I and la during counting. The drive for upper left hand cost counter unit I (Fig. 1) includes a spiral gear l2 (Fig. 5) meshing with a corresponding gear I3 carried on a slotted telescopic shaft I4. This shaft is longitudinally reciprocable in a correspondingly keyed sleeve l5 carrying the gear I3, which sleeve herein is suitably journaled in a bracket I6 projecting inward from the front frame member 6, While the opposite end of the shaft I4 is operatively connected to the upper left hand counter unit I and journaled in a suitable counter supporting frame therefor, generally indicated at IT. As shown, the shaft l4 also carries a bevel pinion I8 meshing with a corresponding bevel gear [9 disposed coaxially with the unit I and adapted to drive the several number wheels comprised in this unit. The other cost counter drive is generally similar to that described, including a spiral gear 20, corresponding to the gear l2 and similarly meshing with a gear 2|, corresponding to the gear I3. This gear 2| is similarly mounted on the frame member I and telescopically connected with a telescopic shaft 22, corresponding with the shaft I4, and, in turn, journaled in a counter unit supporting frame 23, similar to the frame I1, and similarly connected through bevel gears 24, 25, corresponding to the gears I8 and I9, to the several counter wheels of the right hand upper cost counter Ia.

Thus it will be evident that when the shaft 3 is driven from the variator, both of the cost counters I, la will be driven from diagonally opposite ends of the same through their driving shafts I4 and 22, in such manner as to effect counting and give price indications, corresponding' to the price setting of the variator, which are visible on opposite sides of the counter in a usual manner. Further, it will be evident that with the counters I and la carried in frames I1 and 23, these frames may be adjusted in opposite directions laterally in holes 26 provided in projections 21 on the frame members 6 and i in such manner as to produce a counter of any one of a plurality of desired widths while enabling the shafts i4 and 22 to be similarly adjusted through their telescopic connections with their gears I3 and 2!, in such manner as to permit the counters to be properly driven in each position of adjustment thereof.

The drive for the quantity counters 2 and 2a is generally similar to that heretofore described. Herein, the shaft 30, driven from the meter, carriers a bevel pinion 3i meshing with a bevel gear 32, herein carried on and rotatable with a shaft 33, generally similar to the shaft I0 and similarly journaled at 34 in the frame members 6 and 1. This shaft 33 also carriers spiral gears 36, 35 which, in turn, drive gears 33 and 31 having telescopically connected sleeves 39 supported on brackets 40, and telescopic shafts 4| and 42 which are, in turn, geared through bevel gears 43, 44, and 45, 46 to diagonally opposite ends of the quantity counters 2, 2a to drive the same in the same general manner that the cost counters I, la are driven. Herein also, these quantity counters 2, 2a are carried in frames 41, 48 similarly adjustable in holes 49 in extensions 49' provided on the frame members 6 and l, in such manner as to permit the counter units carried on these frames to be adjusted laterally as desired, while their drives are similarly adjustable laterally through their telescopic shafts 4|, 42, as heretofore described.

As a result of this construction, both the cost counter units I, la and the quantity counter units 2, 2a may be adjusted toward one another, or apart laterally, in such manner as to produce a counter of as many different widths as there are holes 26, 49, herein to five different sizes, while utilizing the same frame and the same counter units. Further, it will be observed that, due to the telescopic driving connections, the several counter units I, la, 2, 2a are also properly operatively connected to their drive shafts 3 and 30 in any position of lateral adjustment of the several counter units.

Herein, improved resetting connections are also provided for the several cost and quantity counters; these also being adapted to be adjusted through telescopic connections in such manner as to reset the several counters in the different positions of lateral adjustment thereof. More particularly, it will be noted that a main reset shaft 50 is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings 5| in the frame members 6 and I between the counter driving shafts IO and 33. This shaft 50 has operative connections 52 on one or both ends thereof for receiving a suitable operating key, and herein is also provided with improved operating connections for operating the resetting mechanism in each of the several counters I, Ia, 2, 2a. As shown, a mutilated gear 53 is journaled on the shaft 50 in front of the frame member 6 and between the frame and a cam member 64, hereinafter described. This gear 53 has 10 teeth thereon of ordinary length I and two shorter teeth 55 spaced apart by a blank surface 56. Below the gear 53 is a pinion 61, also having twelve teeth, this gear 51 being journaled on a stud 58 protruding from the front of the frame member 6 and being so disposed that its teeth just clear the blank space 56 on the gear 53. Meshing with the pinion 51 is also a pinion 59, likewise having twelve teeth and journaled on the protruding front end of a shaft 6|, journaled at 62 in the frame members 6 and I and parallel to and beneath the shaft 50.

As shown, cooperating interlocking members 63 and 64 are also fixed to and rotatable with the gear 53 and pinion 51, respectively, the member 64 having a concave cut away portion 65 therein'adapted to receive a like convex portion 66 on the bottom of the member 63, all in such manner as only to permit the release of the two members in a certain angular relation thereof. Here note also that the cam member 54 and the gear 53 have cooperating abutting projections 6'6 thereon extending through suitable apertures 68 in the interlocking member 63, in such manner that the cam member 53 and gear 53 must turn as a unit when one of these members, herein the member 54, is suitably fixed to the shaft 50.

Here also, it will be observed that the cam member 54 is provided with a cam track 59, generally annular in shape and provided with an inwardly directed communicating portion 10, forming a continuation of the track 59 and adapted to be disposed in the position illustrated in Figure 1 in the reset position of the parts. Herein, a pin 1I moves in the cam track 59 and is carried on the upper end of a bell crank 12 pivoted on the front end of stud 58 between cooperating bracket forming members 13 and 14, which are connected to the front frame by bolts 15. Thus, it will be evident that, as the reset operating shaft 50 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the reset position indicated in Figure 1, the gear 53 will be rotated independently of the pinion 51 until the left hand short tooth 55 comes into contact with a tooth on the pinion 51. By this time, the upper interlocking member 53 will have moved out of interlocking engagement with the cooperating interlocking member 54. Thereafter, as the cam 54 is rotated, and the pin 1I moves out of the track portion into the communicating annular track portion 59 of the cam 54, the several teeth on the gear 53 will engage the teeth on the gear 51 and cause the latter to rotate through a complete revolution, while the gear 53 is rotating through the portion of a revolution between its short teeth 55. Further, it will be evident that as the pin 1I moves into the annular portion 59 on the cam 54, the upper end of the bell crank 12 will be swung to the right in Figure 1, to swing the lower end thereof to the left in such manner as to enable this bell crank thus to operate im proved shifting means for the reset shafts of the several counter units I, la, 2, 2a, as hereinafter described.

When the reset shaft 50 is being rotated, it drives connections for rotating the resetting mechanisms of the counters Ia, 2a at one side thereof and the counters I, 2 at the opposite side thereof. Herein, the rotation of shaft 50 is im-- parted to the gear 51 and, through the latter, to the gear 59. This gear being fixed to the shaft 5|, the latter shaft is accordingly rotated after the first short tooth 55 on the gear 53 comes in contact with a tooth on the gear 51. The shaft 5|,

in turn, carries connections at its opposite ends for resetting the counters Ia, 2a and I, 2.

The counters la, 24: are reset by a drive including a spiral gear 80 suitably fixed to the shaft 5I inside the frame 5 and meshing with a spiral gear 8I carried on a relatively transversely disposed sleeve 82 and which, in turn, is carried on a suitable bracket 83 projecting inwardly from the frame 5 and generally similar to the brackets I5 and 40 heretofore described. This sleeve 82 is also provided with diametrically opposite keys 84 adapted to be received telescopically, in a telescopic shaft 85, corresponding generally to the telescopic shafts I4 and 4| heretofore described and journaled at 85 in a suitable bracket 81 carried by the frame member 5 inside the latter. On the front end of this shaft, a bevel pinion 88 meshes with a like gear 89 which is fixed to a spur gear 90 and rotatably mounted with that gear, on

a relatively transversely disposed stub shaft 9|, suitably journaled at 9| on the bracket 81 and disposed parallel to and between the right hand cost counter unit Ia and the right hand quantity counter unit 2a. This spur gear 88 meshing with corresponding spur gears 92 and 93 carried on the units Ia and 2a, it will be evident that, as the reset shaft 50 is rotated as above described, these spur gears 92, 93 will be rotated through the mechanism described, during resetting.

The resetting connections for the counters I, 2, which are connected to the opposite end of the shaft H, are generally similar to those heretofore described. They include a special gear 94 meshing with a like gear 94' suitably journaled on the frame in a bracket similar to the brackets heretofore described. Herein also, this gear 94 is telescopically connected with a shaft 95 corresponding to the shaft 85 but oppositely disposed just inside the frame member 1. The opposite end of this shaft 95 is also journaled at 96 in a suitable bracket supported inside the frame 1. It also carries a bevel gear 91 meshing with a corresponding bevel gear 98, coaxial with and fixed to a spur gear 99, corresponding to the spur gear 90 and meshing with spur gears I88 and IOI, corresponding to spur gears 92 and 83 but carried on the opposite ends of counter units I, 2. Thus, it will be evident that when the reset shaft 50 is rotated and while the spur gears 92, 93 of the counters Ia, 2a are being rotated to effect resetting, the corresponding spur gears I00, IOI of the counters I, 2, will also be rotated, in such manner as to eii'ect simultaneous resetting of all of the counters.

Likewise operatively connected to the reset shaft 50 is also improved operating mechanism for the resetting shafts of the several counters I, la, 2, 2a. This mechanism herein is operable before the interlocking members 53, 54 disengage and before the tooth 55 on the gear 53 meshes with a tooth on the gear 51, in such'manner as to reciprocate the resetting shafts of the several counters before the reset driving spur gears 92, 93, I00, IN on the several counters are rotated through their telescopic connections including the shafts 05, 95. Referring more particularly to Figure 1, it will be observed that the lower arm of the bell crank 12 is pivotally connected at I05 to an operating rod I05 disposed parallel to the shaft 85 and on the opposite side of the frame 5 from this shaft, herein on the front of the frame member 5. This rod I05 is pivotally connected at its opposite ends at I01 and I08 to the depending arms of bell cranks I09 and H0, which, in turn, are pivoted at III and H2 on brackets H3, H4 adjustably supported with the unit frames 23, 48 for units Ia, 2a, on the front of the frame member 5 and disposed between the top oppositely disposed extensions 21 on that frame member and the corresponding bottom extensions 49 thereon. As shown, the other arms H5, H5 on the bell cranks I89 and III extend in opposite lateral directions from their pivots III, H2 and are received in openings or slots H1, H8 in vertically disposed operating rods II9, I28. These rods are operatively connected at their upper and lower ends to mechanism for reciprocating the resetting shafts of the upper and lower counter units. on opposite sides of the device. Herein, the operating member I I9 cooperates with the shafts I2I, I22 of left handcost counter unit I and left hand quantity counter unit 2, respectively, while operating member I20 cooperates with the shafts I23, I24 of right hand cost counter unit Ia and right hand quantity counter 2a, respectively, all through improved operative connections.

Herein, these operative connections are such as to cause the shafts I2I, I22 to be pulled out, i. e. toward the observer from the position shown in Figure 1, or toward the right from the position shown in Figure 3, as the operating member II9 is moved upward by the bell crank arm H5, while the operating member I20 is simultaneously moved downward by its bell crank arm H6, in such manner that the shafts I23, I24 at the right of Figure 1 will be pushed inward or away from the observer of that figure, and to the left as viewed in Figure 3. The operating connections between the operating members III) and I20 and the several counter shafts I2I to I24, being identical, it is suflicient here to refer only to these connections for shafts I2I, I22, shown in Figure 3. Therein, it will be noted that top and bottom bell cranks I25 are pivoted at I26 on brackets I21 carried by the frame member 6. One arm of the upper bellcrank I25 is pivoted at I28 to the adjacent end of the operating member II9, while the other arm I29 of the bell crank carries a pin I30 received in an annular groove I3I between collars I32 fixed on the adjacent end of shaft I2I. Also, a like bell crank connection is provided between the opposite end of the operating member I I9 and like collars I33, corresponding to the collars I32 and fixed to the protruding end of the shaft I22. Thus, at the beginning of resetting, these two sets of shafts I2I, I22 and I23, I24 will be pulled and pushed, respectively, as the pin II moves out of the portion 10 in the cam track on the cam 54. These same shafts, at the end of resetting, will also be reversely operated, as the pin 1I returns from the annular cam track 69 into the portion 10 of the cam track, in such manner as to return them to their normal or operative positions ready for the following counting operation.

Operatively associated with the shafts I2 I I22, I23 and I24 is improved resetting mechanism disposed in the several counter units adapted to effect resetting of the several number wheels in these counter units, as these resetting shafts reciprocate as above described, and as the several reset driving spur gears 92, 93, I00, IOI are rotated :e heretofore described. These mechanisms, being substantially the same in each unit, a description of one, herein the left hand cost counter unit I, shown in Figures 14 to 21 inclusive, will sufiice for all.

Referring to Figure 14, note that the reset shaft I2I is journaled at its opposite ends in journals I40, in the opposite ends of the frame I1 of the counter unit I. Herein, a spacer sleeve MI is provided between the right hand bearing I40 and the right hand end of the hub or sleeve I42 of the lowest denominational order wheel I43. As shown, the bevel gear I9 is also mounted on the protruding end of the sleeve I42 and positioned thereon by an annular washer I43a suitably fixed to the end of the sleeve, as by peaning over the end of the latter, in such manner as to permit the gear to rotate freely about the sleeve. Further, the gear I9 is provided with a peripheral friction face I44 cooperating through a usual friction disc I45 with a pressure plate I46. This plate I46 is pressed toward the friction face I44 by improved cams I41 of bell crank shape pivoted at I48 in suitable oppositely disposed longitudinal slots or grooves I49 in diametrically opposite arms I49 on the sleeve I42. As shown, these cams I41 have front projections or nose portions I50 which are received in radially disposed registering apertures I5I in the pressure plate I46 and disc I45, so that the nose portions will thus positively connect the sleeve I42 of the first number wheel to the pressure plate I66 for toothed gear I58.

rotation with the latter. It will also be noted that the nose portions I50 of the cams I41 are normally pressed into the apertures I5I by coiled springs I52 acting between the outer arms of the cams I41 and a suitable recess in the arms I49. Also, shoulders I53 on these outer arms are normally pressed by these springs I52 into engagement with the inner face of the pressure plate I46, in such manner that the members I44 and I46 are normally frictionally engaged to transmit the rotation of the pinion I9 to the lowest denominational order wheel I43. Note further that each of the cams I41 is provided with a rearwardly extending projection I54 adapted to engage a wall of the slot or groove I49 before its nose portion I50 can pass out of the aperture I5I. Further, the cams I41 are provided with inner actuating tails I55 adapted to be received, in the counting position of the shaft I2I, in the bottom of annular grooves I56 of V-shaped cross section provided in shaft I2 I. Thus, as the shaft I2I is moved to the right from the position shown in Figure 14, the tails I55 will be moved to the position shown in Figure 21, wherein the shoulders I53 are disengaged from the pressure plate I46, in such manner as to release the frictional drive between plate I46 and pinion I9, while still retaining the nose portions I50 in the apertures I5I.

As shown, the sleeve I42 also carries a plurallty of radially located posts I51. These project to theleft in Figure 14 and carry on their extremities a two-toothed gear I58. Herein also, between one of the posts and a spacing end sleeve I59 thereon and on a reduced portion of the post, a reset pawl I60 is pivoted. This pawl is acted upon by a usual spring I6I connected to another post I51, while the free end of the pawl normally rides on a reduced portion I62 of the reset shaft I2I. As shown, the shaft I2I is also provided on opposite sides of this reduced portion I62 with oppositely inclined faces I63, I64. Of these, the left hand face I63 leads to an adjacent portion I65 of the full diameter of the shaft and provided with a longitudinal groove I66 therein. As a result of this construction, when the shaft I 2I is moved longitudinally to the right, as heretofore described, the end of the pawl I60 will move up the inclined face I63 and, resting on the portion I65 on the shaft, will drop into the longitudinal groove I66 therein, when the shaft I2I is subsequently rotated by the resetting gear I00, in such manner as to cause the number wheel I43 to be returned to zero position.

Operatively connected between the lowest order wheel I43 and the next higher order wheel I61 is transfer mechanism of the internal transfer type. Herein, this includes a partition plate I68 disposed between the wheels I43 and I61 and carrying a transfer pinion I69 journaled in brackets I10 suitably supported on opposite faces of the plate I68. This transfer pinion I69 is of a usual construction and adapted to engage the teeth III of the two-toothed gear I58 while constantly engaging the teeth of the 20-toothed gear I12 of the second denominational order wheel I61, which gear I12 is disposed in the opposite side of the partition plate I68 from the two- Note here also that the hub of the gear I12 is journaled on the protruding slotted end of the sleeve I42 of the middle counter unit, which sleeve I42 corresponds to the sleeve I42 previously described; the hub I13 of this gear being freely rotatable in a suitable aperture in the partition plate I66 and also being ya setting.

positioned longitudinally by a washer I14 retained by a nut I15 threaded on the adjacent end of sleeve I42. Here also note that a pair of diametrically opposite pawl members I16, corresponding generally to the cams I41 but having short projections I11 received in any of the radially located holes or apertures I16 in the 20- toothed gear I12, are provided to connect the sleeve I42 with the 20-toothed gear I12 during counting. These pawls are also provided with tails I18, corresponding to the tails I55 and received in a V-shaped groove I56 in the shaft I2I corresponding to the groove I56 heretofore described. It will thus be evident that during resetting, these pawls will be rocked about their pivots I19 on the sleeve I42 in such manner as to disengage the 20-toothed gear I12 during re- The sleeve I42 of the wheel I61 also is provided with a resetting pawl I60 corresponding to I60 heretofore described, while the shaft I2I likewise is provided with a [reduced portion I62 and inclined portions I63, I64, and a large portion I 65' having a longitudinal groove I66, similar to the elements I62, I63, I64, I65 and I66 heretofore described. Thus it will be evident that the successive reciprocation and rotation of the shaft I2I will effect a similar return to zero of the second number wheel I61. The highest order wheel I being similar to the second order wheel I61 and having similar connections operative during counting and resetting, this requires no further description. It will, however, be observed that the sleeve I42 of this higher denominational wheel is longitudinally positioned by the hub I00 of the resetting spur gear I00, and that this hub is provided with keys engaging in diametrically opposite key-ways I8I in the left hand end of the shaft I2I.

With the several units I43, I61, I80 thus rotated between the spacer sleeve HI and the hub I00 of the gear I00, it will be evident that the shaft I2I may be reciprocated and rotated as desired, while maintaining the several counter units in the desired relation to one another. The several counter units being of substantially the same construction, save that the operating collars for the push shafts are connected to the opposite ends of the same from these collars I32, I33 of the pull shafts, it will be evident that the two counters I, 2 will be reset as their shafts I2I, I22 are pulled out and rotated, while the two counters Ia and 2a will be simultaneously reset as their shafts I23, I24 are pushed in and rotated. Further, it will be apparentthat upon the completion of resetting, these different sets of shafts will again be reversely operated, the push shafts then being pulled and the pull shafts then being pushed, in such manner as to return all of the counters into position to resume counting following resetting.

Here attention is also directed to the improved means provided herein for limiting-the rotation of the reset shaft 50 to a single revolution during the course of which the various counter wheels are reset, and for preventing reverse rotation of the reset shaft 50. to its initial position after a resetting operation has been started. Referring to Figure 22, note that a collar I is fixed to' the back end of the reset shaft 50. Further note that this collar is provided with two notches, one a large notch I86 and the other a small notch I81. Cooperating with these notches is also a pawl I88 pivoted at I89 on the frame 1 and biased into engagement with the collar I 85 by a coiled spring I90 connected with the frame. Thus,

after the reset shaft has been turned to start a resetting operation thereof and moved sufficiently to move the small notch I81 past the pawl I88, it is impossible for the shaft 50 to be returned to its initial position by a reverse rotation thereof, the pawl I88 then engaging in the small notch I81 before the shaft can be returned to its initial position. Further, it will be observed that with the pawl I88 thus engaged in the small notch I81, the counters are not operatively connected, the clutches I44, I45, I46 then being disengaged. Accordingly, any operator who fails to return the resetting mechanism to its initial position is not only warned by the failure of the counter wheels to register, but, if he continues to operate the pump in this condition, is penalized, due to the fact that the totalizers, hereafter described, continue to register. However, when the mechanism is properly operated, the return of the pawl I88 into the deep notch I86is such as to provide definite advice to the operator that the parts have been returned to their normal home position. Note here also that when the pawl is in the deep notch I86, the shaft 50 cannot be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, and must therefore be rotated in the proper resetting direction, 1. e., counter-clockwise as viewed in Figure 1.

The totalizing mechanism comprises totalizers I disposed on the left hand side of the device beneath the counter units I and 2, and totalizing the cost and quantity, respectively, and like totalizers I 95' similarly disposed beneath the cost and quantity counter units Ia. and 2a on the opposite side of the device. As shown, each of these totalizers is carried on a bracket I96 suitably supported on the frame and is connected through bevel gearing I91, I98 with the proper bevel gear I9, 25, 44 or 46 carried on the counter units and operative during counting. Two of these totalizers being on one side of the device, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and the other two being on the opposite side of the device and connected to the opposite ends of the cost and quantity counters Ia, 2a, it will be evident that either a cost or quantity total may be readily determined from either side of the device.

Here attention is also directed to the improved construction of the several counter units I, Ia, 2, 2a, whereby the same are made readily removable as units whenever desired. Each of these units is of the same construction so that a description of one will suffice for all. Referring to Figure 14 wherein the unit I is illustrated, note that the frame I1 includes connected end frame members 200 and 20I at opposite ends of the counter wheels. Of these, the member 200 has angularly disposed generally oppositely extending arms 200 adapted to be connected at their extremities by bolts 202 opposite selected holes 26 in extensions 21, while this member also carries the journal I40 for the shaft I 2I, at the junction of the arms 200. The end member 20I also has arms 20I generally similar to the arms 200' and also has a journal 203 for the adjacent end of the shaft I4 at the junction of the arms 20 I Note here also that from the outside of the journal forming portion 203, a right-angled extension 204 projects, which carries the adjacent journal I40 for the shaft I2I. This arm is also provided with an extension I96 carrying the totalizer, while the journal I40 also carries the spaced projections I21 in which the'bell cranks I25 are pivoted, as heretofore described. Note further that the extremities of the arms 200' and 20I are apertured to receive the bolts 202 connecting the end frame members 200 and 200. As shown, these bolts 202 also extend through spacing sleeves 206 and through extensions or corners on the partition plates I68, M58, and outside the periphery of the counter wheels, the spacing sleeves 206 being so disposed as, by their engagement with the end frame members and the partition plates, to locate the latter in the desired longitudinal position in the unit thus formed. Further, threaded spacers Zll'l are preferably provided, adapted to be threaded onto the ends of the bolts 202 and adapted to receive cap screws 208, adapted to be extended through the end frames 6 and I and threaded into the spacer nuts 20'! and such other spacers as may be desired, while still permitting the members 2M, through their connection to the bolts 202, to hold the parts of the frame ll in unitary form.

As a result of this construction, by simply removing the four cap screws 208 on opposite ends of the frame and the pivot pin 026, it is possible to remove, as a unit, laterally from the frame, as shown in Figure 1, the counter unit, generally indicated at I and comprising the various elements entering into the frame W, the totalizer and its drive being fixed to the unit and bodily removable therewith. -Further, it will be evi dent that the telescopic shaft M and the several gears associated with the counter driving bevel gear l9 at the end of the unit will all be removed therewith, the shaft M being drawn out of its cooperating sleeve l5.

As a result of my improved construction, it will be observed that mechanisms of five different widths may be produced, While using the same standard parts, by assembling the units in different lateral relations, their driving connections being equally operative in all of these relations in View of the telescopic connections provided, and the same also being true of their resetting connections. Attention is further directed to the fact that the resetting mechanism is such as to effect resetting in the direction opposite to the counting direction of the several counter wheels, in such manner as to minimize difficulties with backlash in the driving trains and make unnecessary the provision of shutters for the several counter wheels. Moreover, it will be observed that the timing of the push and pull mechanisms, included in the resetting mechanism, is such, relative to the rotating mechanism, also included in the resetting mechanism, that the connections of the several counter wheels are so operated as to condition the wheels for rotation before the several resetting shafts of the counter units are rotated to pick up the wheels and return them to zero. In this connection, note also that this structure is such as to insure the picking up of all of the number wheels in any angular position of the same at the end of counting, and the return of all of the number wheels to 'zero. It will further be observed that the rotation of the resetting shaft is so controlled as not only to require proper rotation of the same, but to make it necessary for the operator to return the resetting shaft completely, following each resetting operating before normal counting can be resumed. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms are shown herein for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a plurality of counting mechanisms, each having resetting mechanism including a resetting shaft, and reset operating means including a rotatable reset operating member, a member movable transversely thereby, and operative connections between said member and said shafts for reciprocating the latter including a bell crank operated by said member and shaft operating means operated by said bell crank.

2. In combination, a plurality of parallel counting mechanisms, each having operatively connected number wheels and resetting mechanism including a coaxial reset driving gear, reset operating mechanism including a driving gear meshing with both of said first mentioned driving gears, a frame on which said counting mechanisms are laterally adjustable and carrying said last mentioned gear, and telescopic driving connections for said gear.

3. In combination, a plurality of pairs of parallel counter mechanisms, each having operatively connected number wheels and resetting mechanism including pairs of reset driving gears coaxially disposed on opposite ends of different pairs of counter mechanisms, reset operatin means for simultaneously rotating said gears to effect resetting, including reset operating gears each meshing with the reset driving gears of a different pair of counter mechanisms, a frame on which said counter mechanisms are laterally adjustable, and telescopic driving connections for said reset operating means.

4. In combination, a plurality of pairs of parallel contour mechanisms, each having operatively connected number wheels and resetting mechanism including pairs of reset driving gears coaxially disposed on opposite ends of different pairs of counting mechanisms, reset operating means for simultaneously rotating said gears to effect resetting, including reset operating gears each meshing with the reset driving gears of a different pair of counter mechanismsfa frame on which said counter mechanisms are laterally adjustable, telescopic driving connections for said reset operating means, and telescopic driving connections operatively connected to the opposite ends of said counter mechanisms from said reset driving gears.

5. In combination, a plurality of counting mechanisms, each having resetting mechanism including a reciprocable and rotatable reset shaft, reset operating mechanism including a rotatable reset operating member, and means for preventing reverse operation of said member after the same has been moved a predetermined distance in areset operating direction, said counters each having driving mechanism including a clutch and means for maintaining said clutch released until the resetting operation is completed.

6. A counter having number wheels and meshing transfer mechanism therebetween, resetting mechanism including a reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, and operative connections controlled by the reciprocation and rotation of said shaft for resetting said number wheels while said transfer mechanism remains in mesh.

7. A counter having number wheels and meshing transfer mechanism therebetween, resetting mechanism including a reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, and operative connections controlled by the reciprocation and rotation of said shaft for resetting said number wheels while said transfer mechanism remains in mesh, said number wheels being rotatable in one direction during counting and said resetting shaft being rotatable in the opposite direction during resetting.

8. A counter having number wheels and mesh ing transfer mechanism therebetween, resetting mechanism including a reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, and operative connections controlled by the reciprocation and rotation of said shaft for resetting said number wheels while said transfer mechanism remains in mesh, said operative connections including pawls controlling the connection of adjacent wheels and controlled by the reciprocations of said shaft.

9. A counter having number wheels and meshing transfer mechanism therebetween, resetting mechanism including a reciprocableand rotatable resetting shaft, operative connections controlled by the reciprocation and rotation of said shaft for resetting said number wheels while said transfer mechanism remains in mesh, and a driving connection to the lowest denominational order wheel having a clutch controlled by said shaft.

10. A counter having number wheels and meshing transfer mechanism therebetween, resetting mechanism including a reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, and operative connections controlled by the reciprocation and rotation of said shaft for resetting said number wheels while said transfer mechanism remains in mesh, said operative connections including positively acting pawls controlled by the reciprocations of said shaft and the lowest denominational order wheel having a frictional driving connection also controlled by the reciprocations of said shaft.

11. A counter having coaxial number wheels and an axially disposed reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, transfer mechanism between said wheels, pawls controlling the connection of said wheels to one another, pawls for returning said wheels to zero, and longitudinally spaced means on said shaft for operating said first mentioned pawls to disconnect said number wheels and thereafter connecting said resetting pawls to said shaft to effect resetting of said wheels.

12. A counter having coaxial operatively connected number wheels and an axially disposed reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, a friction driving connection for the lowest order wheel, pawls controlling the connection of said wheel to said driving connection and of the next order wheel to said lowest order wheel, pawls on said wheels for effecting resetting thereof, and means on said shaft controlling the operation of both sets of pawls.

13. A counter having operatively connected coaxial number wheels and an axially disposed reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, a fric-' tion driving connection for the lowest order wheel, pawls controlling the connection of said wheel to said driving connection and of the next order wheel to said lowest order wheel, pawls on said wheels for effecting resetting thereof, and means on said shaft controlling the operation of both sets of pawls including longitudinally spaced means cooperating with different pawls in different longitudinal positions of said shaft.

14. A counter having number wheels and meshing transfer mechanism therebotween, resetting mechanism including a reciprocable and rotatable resetting shaft, and operative connections controlled by the reciprocation and rotation of said shaft for resetting said number wheels while said transfer mechanism remains in mesh, said shaft having a reset driving means fixed thereto adjacent the highest order number wheel and a coaxial driving connection frictionally connected to the lowest order wheel.

15. In combination, a frame, a plurality of parallel counter mechanisms in the same horizontal planes and adjustable laterally toward and from each other in said frame, each including a plurality of number wheels and transfer mechanism for connecting said wheels during counting, driving mechanism for operating said counter mechanisms during counting in different lateral positions of said counter mechanisms, resetting mechanism including a common reset opcrating member, reset driving means operative by said member in different lateral positions of said counter mechanisms for rotating said wheels to zero in a direction opposite to the counting direction thereof, means operative by said member for conditioning said counter mechanisms in different lateral positions of said mechanisms for rotation of the wheels thereof independently of said transfer mechanisms during resetting, and means operative in different lateral relations of said counter mechanisms'for delaying the rotation of said reset driving means by said member until after said conditioning means has been operated.

16. A counter having a rotatable reset shaft supported for endwise movement from an inoperative position to a resetting position, numeral wheels supported by said shaft; transfer mechanism between adjacent wheels and including a locking disk provided with a tranrf segment on a wheel of lower order, a driven gear on a wheel of next higher order, and atra'nsfer pinion between said disk and gear and constantly in mesh with the latter, means for locking said driven gear to its respective wheel, and means for disengaging said locking means when said shaft is shifted to resetting position and for re-engaging said locking means when the shaft is shifted back to inoperative position.

17. A counter having a rotatable reset shaft supported for endwise movement from an inoperative position to a resetting position, numeral wheels supported by said shaft; transfer mechanism between adjacent wheels and including a locking disk provided with a transfer segment on a wheel of lower order, a driven gear on a wheel of next higher order, and'a transfer pinion between said disk and gear and constantly in mesh with the latter, means for locking said driven gear to its respective wheel, means for disengaging said locking means when said shaft is shifted to resetting position and for re-engaging said looking means when the shaft is shifted back to inoperative position, means for rotating said wheels in one direction during a registering operation, and means between said shaft and wheels for resetting the latter when said shaft is turned'in the opposite direction.

18. A counter having a reset shaft mounted for endwise movement from an inoperative position to a resetting position, numeral wheels supported by said shaft, transfer mechanism between adjacent wheels and including a locking disk for a transfer segment fixed to a wheel of lower order, a driven gear carried by a wheelof higher order, and a transfer pinion therebetween and in constant mesh withsaid driven gear, pivoted locking members carried by a wheel of higher order for locking said driven gear to said wheel, said shaft having cam surfaces thereon for moving said locking member into and out of locking position when said shaft is moved endwise, said wheel having reset pawls thereon and said shaft having longitudinally extending abutments adapted to engage said pawls when said shaft is turned in a direction toreset the wheels, said shaft also having grooves therein accommodating said pawls when said shaft is in inoperative position.

CHARLES A. ROSSBERG. 

